Making perfect sense
Posted by Arnessa on April 02, 1998 at 00:03:19:
In response to unique vs ordinary, written by P. Bingham on March 31, 1998 at 16:54:24
] One of the most stark examples of pain and genious is that of Leonardo da Vinci. I remember crying over my term paper that I wrote on him in college. Can you imagine? My sensitivity can sometimes be embarrassing. I laugh at myself now.
Yes, Leonardo's story is very sad. I remember going to see an exhibit on him at the Science museum here, and realizing how much he did accomplish and that it was only a sliver of what he imagined.
] ] If you could offer the choice to JA, lonely genius vs. social, um, averageness?, which do you think she would choose?
] I often think on this very thing myself. Of course she would be happy either way as she would not experience the difference. Ignorance is bliss. But I can't help but feel that she would have preferred to be a little more accepted and I think it shows in her writing.
It does show. The Miss Bingleys and Fanny Dashwoods and the hurt they cause are too vividly drawn sometimes for me to believe they didn't give JA some very real pain. And even JA's ultimate insider heroine, Emma, seems socially isolated in her own way too. I think JA wanted to be a part of the social whirl that people like the Bingleys enjoyed, but I also think she recognized her talents were a special thing. I don't think she would have given them up lightly.
]
] Patricia
] not making any sense at all! Oh well! Sorry, I haven't got much sleep lately!
I understood you, but I need sleep too! ;)
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